Klipsch Quintet Micro Theater

The Quintet Micro Theater was Klipsch's entry-level, fully horn-loaded home theater speaker package — the company's least expensive way into its signature horn sound. The "Micro Theater" name covered a 5.1-channel bundle: five identical Quintet satellite speakers paired with a subwoofer, typically the KSW-10 in the reviewed configurations, though some packages paired the satellites with the KSW-12 or Synergy Sub-10. The satellites themselves were small, sealed, magnetically shielded cabinets (10.25" x 4.75" x 5.25", 4.5 lbs.) built to sit near a video monitor without causing picture interference.

Each Quintet satellite packed a 1" aluminum dome tweeter mated to Klipsch's patented 90x60 Tractrix Horn, plus two 3.5" fiber-composite woofers. Rated sensitivity was a healthy 92dB @ 1 watt/1 meter, with 100 watts maximum continuous power handling and an 8-ohm nominal impedance. The crossover sat at 3,000Hz. Frequency response was rated 100Hz–20kHz on-axis (±3dB) and 110Hz–20kHz off-axis. In black or white finish, they were compact enough to disappear into a small room.

Period advertising in Audio (January 1999, p.67) leaned heavily on the heritage angle, billing the Quintet as "the world's only horn-loaded microsystem" and tying it to Klipsch's installation at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. Reviews found the formula worked for its intended job: the horn tweeter delivered clear dialogue and effects, and reviewers described surprisingly big sound from such small boxes for home theater use in small-to-medium rooms. The trade-offs were predictable given the driver sizes. The satellites rolled off early and needed the subwoofer — owners strongly recommended setting the receiver crossover to 80Hz or 100Hz — and the little speakers wouldn't play very loud before distorting compared to larger Klipsch models. Some users found the horn tweeter bright or harsh with certain receivers, and most agreed the system was better suited to movies than demanding music listening.

Production years and original pricing are not documented in the available record. What survives is a clear picture of a capable, affordable satellite package that brought Klipsch's horn technology to the home theater entry level — with the caveat that it was a system that knew its limits.

Type: 5-channel satellite speaker package (with bundled subwoofer)
Drivers per satellite: 1" aluminum dome tweeter on 90x60 Tractrix Horn; two 3.5" fiber-composite woofers
Enclosure: Sealed, magnetically shielded
Frequency response: 100Hz–20kHz on-axis (±3dB); 110Hz–20kHz off-axis
Sensitivity: 92dB @ 1W/1m
Power handling: 100W max continuous
Impedance: 8 ohms
Crossover: 3,000Hz
Dimensions (HxWxD): 10.25" x 4.75" x 5.25"
Weight: 4.5 lbs. each
Finish: Black or white